Stormen 1878

Lorenz Frølich made this drawing, titled ‘Stormen’ – or ‘The Storm’ – with graphite on paper. It’s a study for an illustration, a design intended for reproduction. The paper has a distinct texture and weight which Frølich exploits in rendering the scene; the tooth of the paper softens the graphite, which is especially effective in creating a dramatic stormy sea and cloudy sky. These naturalistic renderings are juxtaposed against the finely rendered, mythical creatures acting as border motifs; this contrast is only achieved by close attention to detail. Look closely, and you’ll see a highly detailed Viking ship with intricate carvings. This speaks to the tradition of craftsmanship that the artist admired. The technique employed here – pencil drawing – is interesting in that it allowed for multiples. Designs like this would be picked up and circulated in print. By combining traditional drawing techniques with mass production, Frølich democratized access to art, bridging the gap between craft and fine art.